Saddam’s Road to Hell documentary nominated for Emmy award

London, UK (KRG.org) – Renowned British documentary maker Gwynne Roberts’ film ‘Saddam’s Road to Hell’ has been nominated for a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Emmy award.

The NATAS nomination recognises the contribution of Mr Roberts to investigative journalism for his depiction of the struggle to find the remains of 8,000 Barzani Kurds who had disappeared over 20 years ago in Saddam Hussein’s genocide against the people of Kurdistan.

The film, which has been shown around the world, is a road trip through the most dangerous parts of Iraq at the height of the insurgency with some extraordinary coverage of the Kurdistan people’s quest. Mr Roberts accompanied Dr Mohammad Ihsan, then Minister for Human Rights in the Kurdistan Regional Government, along with a team of investigators, as they sought material clues.

Mr Roberts’ documentary is one of three shortlisted for the coveted award in the news and documentary category of ‘outstanding investigative journalism in a news magazine’. Peter Price, president and chief executive of NATAS, said, “This year’s entries were particularly impressive – both in quality and breadth of reporting.”

Mr Roberts said, “It's a real honour to be nominated for such a prestigious US television journalism award. Making ‘Saddam’s Road to Hell’ was a team effort and everyone who participated in the production deserves equal credit.”

He added, “This is a story that is little known but just had to be told, and told from the perspective of those most affected by it. For the Kurdish people I hope this award gives some small satisfaction that their terrible struggles under Saddam Hussein are being seen by the world.”

The Emmy news and documentary awards ceremony will be held in New York on September 24.